Helen Alexander (Anderson) Bishop

Mrs. Helen Alexander (Anderson) Bishop, 91 of Austin, Texas, formerly of Blytheville, passed away Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Lakeway, Texas. Born in Sullivan, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Mitchell and Ola Alexander.

Mrs. Bishop began her teaching career at age 16 teaching grades 1-8 in a one-room school house in Sullivan. For another 30 years she taught grade school at Blytheville, Ft. Worth and Memphis. She received her teaching degree in 1956 from Arkansas State College while teaching and raising three children. She was a gifted quilter and needle worker and provided many lovely heirlooms for her family.

She and her husband, Bill, were avid travelers, having visited each state in their Air Stream trailer and visited many countries around the globe.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. Weldon H. Bishop, USAF, retired; her son Lark (Squee) Anderson; and her brother, Charles Alexander.

Mrs. Bishop is survived by a son, Larry Anderson and his wife, Sandy, of Heber Springs;

A daughter, Lana Hertel and her husband, Dave, of Austin, Texas;

A sister, Shirley Smith and her husband, Dale, of Columbia, Mo.;

Known as " Oma" to her eight grandchildren, she will be missed by Boyd, Kyle, Cacky, Bonnie, Susan, Mitch, Trey and Brannon;

She also leaves 18 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and a daughter-in-law, Becky Rainwater Anderson.

A memorial service will be planned for the immediate family at a later date. She will be laid to rest next to Lt. Col. Bishop at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to consider the fund raising efforts of Sara Maddox, granddaughter of Lark and Becky Anderson, in a walk and 5K to benefit: To Cure JDRF Diabetes at Sara's Superheroes, in care of, JDRF 920 Main St. Suite 280 Kansas City, Mo. 64105. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.howardfuneralservice.com